Monday, 10 December 2012

"The Centre" run by the Sisters of St Andrew's near Edenbridge have issued their programme for 2013 Page 1Page 2

‘The
Centre’ will be ceasing its activities from the 30th June 2013

as the Sisters of St. Andrew will
eventually be leaving Eden Hall.

Dates for your diary: Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th
June 2013

will be days of Celebration and Thanksgiving for all the
blessings that the sisters, the team at the Centre, and all our guests and
visitors have received over the last 12 years since ‘the Centre’ had its
beginnings.

Saturday, 8 December 2012

The theme for these special Advent services this year is "Visions of the Nativity" and the talk in each service will be focussed on a different classic approach to painting the Christmas story. The
first service looked at the image of Jesus as a newborn lying naked on
the ground (see the example right by Fra Angelico) while Mary and Joseph
kneel in prayer, an image that can seem rather odd to us - who'd leave a
baby lying about like that, cold and uncomfortable...?

If you would like to read the talk, it is here on our sermon blog (the next two talks will be posted after they are delivered.) Of course, anyone who wants to is welcome to come along to these services - the next two are on Thurs 13th and 20th Dec at 8pm.

Tuesday, 27 November 2012

Quiet,
contemplative, services of Holy Communion in the candlelit Lady Chapel of Seal Church with a short talk. This year we'll be looking at various depictions of the nativity in art to help us reflect. The addresses will be posted on this site each week after the service, but if you can join us for the service, you will be very welcome!

Our "Breathing Space" services are simple services of Holy Communion, with pools of silence dotted through them and music to listen to beforehand. They last about 30 minutes.

Thursday, 25 October 2012

I hope you
are able to come! Do let me know to give me a rough idea of
numbers.

Susanne

Network
Day - ‘Our vision and
gifts’

Since I last wrote to you all, ‘Stream’, the visioning team, has been
meeting to ponder and pray about the future of the network. This time of
discernment and prayer has led to the planning of our next network day:

We are inviting all of you to be part of this process, to pray and
ponder our vision, your own gifts and if you can contribute in any way to the
network and its work in the diocese. During our meetings the members of ‘Stream’
have come up with different areas of interest and with this letter I would like
to invite you to ponder if you feel drawn to any of these areas:

·Training in
Spirituality

·Equipping the
local church

·Events e.g.
Spirituality Feasts etc.

·Giving and
encouraging Spiritual Accompaniment

·Giving and
encouraging Quiet days

·Publicity and
outreach

·Short Courses
in spirituality and prayer

·Etc. other
areas you think are missing

Before coming to the network day, we would like to invite you to
ponder and pray with these different areas. You might also know of somebody who
would be interested. All are welcome to the meeting to ponder, pray and
acknowledge our gifts. It is also important to say that there is no pressure to
contribute, being part of the network is in it self a contribution and a
gift.

We are hoping that the day will be a day to pray and come together to
share our gifts but also to celebrate and we therefore invite you to a bring and
share lunch.

Tuesday, 9 October 2012

Are you interested in training in Spiritual Accompaniment?
Rochester and Canterbury Dioceses run a joint Spiritual Accompaniment course, which you might like to consider.
The course booklet and the application form are here.

Wednesday, 5 September 2012

There is a need to support both ordained and lay ministers in a
deeper awareness of the presence of God in their lives, a growing discernment of
God's will, and a clear link with the greater mission of God in the
world.

Responding to this need, there is a Spiritual Accompaniment Programme
offered jointly by Canterbury and Rochester dioceses. The aim is to develop a
group of both lay and ordained practitioners who are called to this ministry to
become both confident and competent in their spiritual accompaniment of
others.

The next course will start in
May 2013, an applicationform and a Programme Brochure which describes the
course, with dates and venues, will be available September
2012.

Thursday, 23 August 2012

This Follow-up workshop is for those who have completed the introduction toMBTI and feel comfortable in their psychological type.The day is for those who are working in the area of spirituality – perhaps as SpiritualDirectors or in some sort of counselling or listening capacity. There will be a shortresume of the MBTI and then move on to looking at the different components whichmake up the MBTI from the point of view of spiritual gifts. Communication, prayerpreferences and finding God in new ways will be explored.There will be opportunity for small group working – on exercises and personalexperience as well as input from Sue Wilson. Handouts are included for futurereference, as the MBTI is a life-long teacher.

Tuesday, 26 June 2012

Here is the text of Susanne's latest newsletter - a printable version, with the reply slip for the day on Nov 17th at St Andrew's Edenbridge can be found here.

Dear All,

As I am writing this newsletter the
rain is falling outside my window, I really hope that by the time it reaches
you we will have some sunshine!

Network
Day - ‘Our vision and gifts’

Since I last wrote to you all,
‘Stream’, the visioning team, has been meeting to ponder and pray about the
future of the network. This time of discernment and prayer has led to the
planning of our next network day:

We are inviting all of you to be part
of this process, to pray and ponder our vision, your own gifts and if you can
contribute in any way to the network and its work in the diocese. During our
meetings the members of ‘Stream’ have come up with different areas of interest
and with this letter I would like to invite you to ponder if you feel drawn to
any of these areas:

·Training in Spirituality

·Equipping the local church

·Events e.g. Spirituality Feasts etc.

·Giving and encouraging Spiritual Accompaniment

·Giving and encouraging Quiet days

·Publicity and outreach

·Short Courses in spirituality and prayer

·Etc. other areas you think are missing

Before coming to the network day, we
would like to invite you to ponder and pray with these different areas. You
might also know of somebody who would be interested. All are welcome to the
meeting to ponder, pray and acknowledge our gifts. It is also important to say
that there is no pressure to contribute, being part of the network is in it
self a contribution and a gift.

We are hoping that the day will be a
day to pray and come together to share our gifts but also to celebrate and we
therefore invite you to a bring and share lunch.

Spirituality Blog

For those of you who are new to the network the Spirituality
Network has a Spirituality Blog. The main aim of this blog is to
communicate what is going on around the diocese so that people can be pointed
towards opportunities for spiritual exploration and development locally - there
may be something that would really feed them in a neighbouring parish, which
they could join in with if only they knew it was happening. If there is
something going on in your parish, either a one-off or a regular meditative
service/prayer group/event, please email Anne Le Bas ajlebas@googlemail.com

I would also like to encourage you to have a look at the new
diocesan website where Spirituality has its own section under the Ministry and
Training Department.

Course in Spiritual Direction/Accompaniment

The Course will be starting again next year in
May and the publicity will be out early this autumn. If you are interested in
taking part in the course please let me know and you will be sent the
information as soon as it is out.

Southwark Diocese's Spirituality Network newsletter can be found here.Formed by the Spirit - March 2012
There may be events which would be of interest to Rochester folk, and we would be welcome to join in with anything featured here.

Saturday, 10 March 2012

This day is
being run in partnership with the Rochester Theological
Society

16 March,1000
- 1600hrs at St Andrew Paddock Wood.

Seeking the Risen
Christa

During this
day, we’ll explore a range of images and different associated meanings of the
Christa – the female Christ-figure developed by feminist theologians and artists
over the past few decades, but also reaching back into ancient Christian
tradition. We will explore the development of the idea and see what it might
mean to us today, how it might challenge and inspire us. We will particularly
explore the question of why most images of the Christa have been of suffering,
crucified figure, and why imaging a risen Christa may be particularly important
for women and men in this time.

The day
will use a range of learning methods, and draw particularly on visual images and
on poetry expressing different facets of the Christa. It will be theologically
challenging and creative, and spiritually nourishing, with a reflective
element. There will be time and space for making your own individual and group
responses to the material.

Nicola Slee
is a poet and theologian based at the Queen’s Foundation, Birmingham. She is
the author of numerous books and articles, including Seeking the Risen Christa
(SPCK, 2011) and Presiding Like a Woman (SPCK,
2010, co-edited with Stephen Burns). Apart from her work at Queen’s, where she
co-ordinates the MA in Applied Theological Studies and supervises research
students, she has a wide freelance portfolio including retreat work, spiritual
direction, speaking engagements and consultancy.

Free to
clergy or £5 to others, bring a packed lunch.

Once you
have registered online you will need to send a booking from to the Training
Department. To download a form click here

the Diocese of Rochester

What's on in your area?

The pages below list regular reflective services and groups in the three Archdeaconries of Rochester Diocese. If your church puts on something you think others might like to come to, send me an email with a brief description and details of time and venue. Please check with the person running the group or service first!